On Sunday October 28 1984, the community of Mon Repos hosted the inaugural Jounen Kweyol activity in Saint Lucia.
Forty years later and the weekend observance of Saint Lucia’s Kweyol Heritage, is now celebrated for an entire month, Kweyol Heritage Month.
Mon Repos is back in the mix again as one of three communities hosting activities throughout the month of October. Their committee has informed St. Lucia Times that a packed calendar will unfold throughout the month.
On Monday October 7 the first activity, “Festen Peche” (Fishermen’s Feast) took place at the Praslin Bay.
According to the chairperson of the committee, Wynnykyj King, it was decided that while the main activities would be in Mon Repos, that they would also bring all the communities together from the Micoud North constituency, including Praslin.
“And so today in Praslin we are having this fish festival and some of the activities will include kayaking, we are doing the original food preparation and cooking, fishing competition and greasy pole,” King told St. Lucia Times.
Scores of residents turned out on the day to take in the activities and to savour some of the local dishes that were prepared. Some of the dishes were prepared using underground fire pits.
The day ended with the greasy pole and a tug- of-war competition.
Jounen Kweyol activities in Mon Repos will continue on October 12 with a “Lave’ Lawivye’ (River Wash Day).
Other events will include “Festen Tiyeta” (Film Festival) October 16 at Wavin Liben, Festen Mizik (Music Festival) at the Mon Repos Combined School on October 18 and a Festen Jwe (Games Festival) in Malgretoute on October 23.
On October 19, the community will also pay tribute to Armelle Mathurin, a cultural activist who was instrumental in the first Jounen Kweyol celebration in Mon Repos.
To culminate the celebration Sunday October 27, Jounen Kweyol will begin with a church service followed by an open day at Sessene’s House as part of activities for the day.
According to King, the committee wants people coming to Mon Repos to experience more than just food and drinks.
“We want people to get to know the culture and so it is not going to be another block-o, it is not going to be just about eating, it will be about coming and immersing yourself in the culture,” King says.
